Behavioral model based multi-threaded architecture

ABSTRACT

Multiple parallel passive threads of instructions coordinate access to shared resources using “active” and “proactive” semaphores. The active semaphores send messages to execution and/or control circuitry to cause the state of a thread to change. A thread can be placed in an inactive state by a thread scheduler in response to an unresolved dependency, which can be indicated by a semaphore. A thread state variable corresponding to the dependency is used to indicate that the thread is in inactive mode. When the dependency is resolved a message is passed to control circuitry causing the dependency variable to be cleared. In response to the cleared dependency variable the thread is placed in an active state. Execution can proceed on the threads in the active state. A proactive semaphore operates in a similar manner except that the semaphore is configured by the thread dispatcher before or after the thread is dispatched to the execution circuitry for execution.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to techniques and architectures for multi-threadedprocessing. More particularly, the invention relates to techniques andarchitectures using semaphores for multi-threaded processing.

BACKGROUND

A “semaphore” (also referred to as “critical sections” or “mutex”) is ahardware and software construct that allows coordination orsynchronization of operations in which multiple processes compete forshared resources (e.g., memory, files). In general, a semaphore is avalue that is stored in a designated location in operating system memorythat processes can check and change. Based on the value of thesemaphore, a process can either access the shared resource or wait for aperiod of time and check the semaphore again.

Semaphores in conventional computer systems are typically implemented assoftware routines using hardware support of atomic “test and set” orsimilar types of instructions (e.g., lock, bit test, bit test and set,bit test and reset). Using this semaphore implementation, aproducer-consumer communication relationship can be established throughshared (e.g., global) data and one or more semaphores. The semaphoreallows shared data to be modified by a selected one of multipleprocesses that are attempting to modify the data, which provides dataconsistency.

This semaphore construct is “passive” because threads must performpolling operations to acquire a semaphore. The polling requirementconsumes processor and system resources that could otherwise be used forother purposes. Therefore, traditional semaphores can result ininefficiencies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way oflimitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a massivelymulti-threaded processor architecture.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of coordination of threaddispatch and semaphore initialization operations.

FIGS. 3 a-3 d are conceptual illustrations of dependencies in whichsemaphores can be used to synchronize thread execution.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

Overview of an Example use of Active Semaphores

Described herein is an architecture and associated methods in whichmultiple parallel passive threads of instructions (hereinafter referredto as “threads”) coordinate access to shared resources using “active”semaphores. The semaphores are referred to as active because thesemaphore entity sends messages to execution and/or control circuitry tocause the state of a thread to change. For example, a thread can beplaced in a sleep (or inactive) mode by a thread scheduler in responseto an unresolved dependency, which can be indicated by a semaphore. Athread state variable corresponding to the dependency is used toindicate that the thread is in sleep mode.

When the dependency is resolved a message is passed to control circuitry(e.g., the thread scheduler) causing the dependency variable to becleared. In response to the cleared dependency variable the thread isplaced in an active (or wake) state. Execution can proceed on thethreads in the active state.

Continuing with the example above, if a thread attempts to acquire asemaphore and cannot, that thread is placed in an inactive state.Because the thread is inactive, it cannot poll the semaphore todetermine when the dependency indicated by the semaphore is resolved, asis required in the prior art. The thread remains in the inactive stateuntil a message is received (e.g., from the semaphore entity) indicatingthat the dependency has been resolved. In response to the message, thethread is placed in the active state, which allows execution to proceed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a massivelymulti-threaded processor architecture. As used herein, the label“massively multi-threaded” architecture refers to an architecture thatincludes multiple processors that can support multi-threaded execution.In one embodiment, each processor may support one or multiple threads.Multi-threading on a single processor achieves high execution efficiencyby allowing active threads to be executed while other threads are ininactive state. A thread in the inactive state pending on a semaphoredoes not consume/waste processor resources. Notwithstanding thedescription with respect to a massively multi-threaded architecture, thesemaphore constructs and associated methods are applicable to anymulti-threaded architecture regardless of the number of threadssupported.

Massively multi-threaded system 100 includes memory hierarchy 110 thatstores data and instruction to be used during execution by one or moreprocessing cores. Memory hierarchy 110 may include dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM), one or many levels of instruction caches, one or manylevels of data caches, and/or one or many levels of shared instructionand data caches in any manner known in the art. Thread dispatcher 120 iscoupled with memory hierarchy 110, receives information such asinstruction pointer and data and/or data pointer associated with a newthread. Thread dispatcher 120 also coupled with the processing cores viamessage bus 125. In one embodiment, thread dispatcher 120 is responsibleof managing the thread resources of the processing cores. Upon receivinga new pending thread, thread dispatcher 120 selects one processing corethat has the resource to execute the pending thread and dispatches thethread onto the selected processing core. Upon the completion of anexisting thread on a processing core, thread dispatcher 120 is informed,consequently, making the thread resource on the processing coreavailable for future pending threads.

System 100 is illustrated with multiple processor cores (130, 131, 139,150, 151 and 159), each of which include execution circuits withassociated control circuitry. The processor cores can be identical orthe processor cores can have varying functionality. Any number ofprocessor cores can be included in system 100. In one embodiment, theprocessor cores are configured in rows, each row having a rowcontroller. For example, row controller 140 can be coupled withprocessor cores 130, 131 and 139 via row control bus 145. Similarly, rowcontroller 160 can be coupled with processor cores 150, 151 and 159 viarow control bus 165.

The processor cores are also coupled with semaphore entity 170 viamessage bus 125. Semaphore entity 170 includes memory and control logicto provide semaphore functionality as described herein. In oneembodiment, semaphore entity 170 interacts with the processor cores bytransmitting and receiving messages as described in greater detailbelow.

Thread dispatcher 120 is also coupled with semaphore entity 170 viamessage bus 125. In one embodiment, thread dispatcher interacts withsemaphore entity 170 on behalf of a thread by transmitting and receivingmessages as described in greater detail below.

Control circuitry in each processing core may contain thread schedulingcircuitry to manage the state of multiple threads executing on the sameprocessing core and may also contain instruction scheduling circuitry toexecute an active thread of instructions. During instruction execution,one or more of the processing cores will attempt to access shared systemresources. In order to gain control of a shared system resource athread, through the corresponding execution core, must gain control of asemaphore corresponding to the shared system resource to be accessed.

In one embodiment, in order to gain control of a semaphore, therequesting processing core sends a semaphore request message tosemaphore entity 170 over message bus 125. After sending the semaphorerequest message, the requesting thread is placed in an inactive state inwhich execution and associated operations (e.g., polling of semaphores)halts.

In response to receiving the semaphore request message, semaphore entity170 determines whether to grant control of the semaphore to therequesting thread. When the semaphore is granted, semaphore entity 170sends a semaphore acknowledge message to the requesting thread. Inresponse to the semaphore acknowledge message, the requesting thread isrestored to an active state in which execution using the requestedresource continues. When the thread has completed use of the sharedresource, the thread sends a release semaphore message to semaphoreentity 170. In response to the release semaphore message, semaphoreentity 170 releases the semaphore and allows other threads to gainaccess to the system resource.

In one embodiment, semaphores are supported by instructions (semaphoreinstructions) that are executed by a processing core as well as messages(semaphore messages) that are passed between processing cores andsemaphore entity over, for example, a message bus 125. In alternateembodiments, different and/or additional messages or instructions can besupported.

Semaphore Entity Based on a Linked List

In one embodiment, traditional per semaphore queues are replaced by abuffer pool having entries that are used to form a linked list for eachsemaphore. Thus, each semaphore can be a head pointer to a linked listformed from entries in the buffer pool. The linked list can be either abi-directional linked list or a uni-directional linked list.

In one embodiment, a semaphore table includes a pointer for eachsemaphore supported. In one embodiment, the pointers in the semaphoretable are head pointers that indicate a head of a linked list to be usedfor the corresponding semaphore. A free pool pointer indicates the headof buffer pool and unused semaphore entries include a NULL pointer.

In one embodiment, each semaphore entry includes a released-state field,an ack-suppression field, a thread identifier field, a previous pointerand a next pointer. In alternate embodiments, other and/or differentfields can be used, for example, the previous pointer can be omitted. Inone embodiment, each semaphore can also include a single bit (or otherindicator) to indicate whether the linked list corresponding to thesemaphore is empty.

Semaphore Messages

An Acquire Semaphore Message (ACQ_MSG) is used for a thread, or a threaddispatcher on behalf of a thread, to make a request to the semaphoreentity for ownership of a semaphore. In one embodiment, the ACQ_MSGcontains a semaphore identifier field, a thread identifier field, an“auto-release” field and an “acknowledge-suppression” (ack-suppression)field. The auto-release field is used for a thread with only a headdependency. That is, the thread depends on previous threads, but nosubsequent threads depend on the thread. The ack-suppression field isused for a thread with only a tail dependency. That is, the thread doesnot depend on any previous threads, but the thread does have subsequentthreads depending on it. The ACQ_MSG can be issued by a threaddispatcher or other control circuitry associated with the thread.

In one embodiment, upon receiving the ACQ_MSG the semaphore entityenqueues the semaphore entry for the request thread to a linked list ofthe target semaphore (specified by the semaphore identifier field) byremoving the head entry from a free pool list and adding it to the tailof the selected semaphore. The fields of the semaphore entry are updatedbased on the information in the ACQ_MSG: the thread identifier field,the release-state field and the ack-suppression field are replaced bythe requester's thread identifier, the auto-release field and theack-suppression field in the ACQ_MSG. If the semaphore linked list isnot empty before the ACQ_MSG no message is sent by the semaphore entity.Otherwise, if the semaphore linked list is empty before the ACQ_MSG isreceived one of the following actions is taken.

If the ack-suppression field is not set an ACK_MSG with the threadidentifier is sent from the semaphore entity on the message bus 125 tothe requesting thread. If the ack-suppression field is set no ACK_MSG issent from the semaphore entity. If the auto-release field is not set,the just-enqueued semaphore entry is maintained in the semaphore linkedlist. Consequently, the semaphore linked list is not empty and thesemaphore is currently owned by the thread. If the auto-release field isset the just-enqueued semaphore entry is removed from the semaphorelinked list, and consequently, the semaphore linked list is empty.

A Release Semaphore Message (REL_MSG) is used for a thread to make arequest to the semaphore entity to free ownership of a semaphore. In oneembodiment, the REL_MSG includes a semaphore identifier field and athread identifier field. In one embodiment, the REL_MSG can only beissued by control circuitry associated with a thread holding ownershipof the semaphore, i.e., the thread identifier is at the top of thesemaphore linked list. Upon receiving the REL_MSG the semaphore entityremoves the entry from the head of the semaphore linked list.

In another embodiment, the REL_MSG can be issued by control circuitryassociated with any thread sharing the semaphore. Upon receiving theREL_MSG the semaphore entity unsets the release-state field to thecorresponding entry in the semaphore linked list regardless of theposition of the entry in the linked list. If semaphore entry is at thehead of the linked list, the entry is removed from the head of thesemaphore linked list. The next entry is then becoming the head of thelinked list. If the next entry is not NULL, it will be examined. If thenew head of the linked list has the release-state field set, it is againremoved from the head of the semaphore linked list.

In one embodiment, this recursive process continues until either thehead of the linked list is NULL (the semaphore queue is empty) or thehead of the linked list has the released-state field unset (waiting forthe release of the semaphore from the thread corresponding to theentry). If the head of the linked list is not NULL and theack-suppression field is not set, an ACK_MSG is sent by the semaphoreentity to the thread identified by the entry's thread identifier field.If the head of the linked list is not NULL and the ack-suppression fieldis set, no ACK_MSG is sent.

The Semaphore Acknowledgement Message (ACK_MSG) is generated by thesemaphore entity to notify a thread that the requested semaphore hasbeen acquired. In one embodiment, the ACK_MSG includes a semaphoreidentifier field and a thread identifier field. The ACK_MSG is issuedonly by the semaphore entity and received by the processing coreexecuting the thread identified by in the thread identifier field.

Upon receiving the ACK_MSG the receiving processing core unsets thewait-semaphore state field of the thread identified by the threadidentifier field. If the thread is in an inactive state, the threadstate is changed to an active state.

Semaphore Instructions

An Acquire Semaphore (ACS) instruction causes an ACQ_MSG message to besent to the semaphore entity with a semaphore identifier of therequested semaphore, the thread identifier of the requesting thread andwith the auto-release field unset. The thread is put in an inactivestate with the wait-semaphore state field set. The ACS instruction ispaired with (followed by) a Release Semaphore (RLS) instruction(described below). The ACS-RLS instruction pair can be used, forexample, for critical section applications.

An Acquire Semaphore with Auto-Release (ASR) instruction causes anACQ_MSG to be sent to the semaphore entity with a semaphore identifierfor the requested semaphore, a thread identifier of the requestingthread and with the auto-release field set. The thread is put in aninactive state with the wait-semaphore state field set. In oneembodiment, the ASR instruction cannot be paired with the RLSinstruction. In one embodiment, the ASR instruction is used for threadswith only a head dependency.

A Wait Semaphore (WTS) instruction causes the wait-semaphore threadstate field to be checked. If the state field is set the thread is putin the inactive state. If the state field is not set the thread remainsin the active state. No message is sent to the semaphore entity inresponse to a WTS instruction. Use of the WTS instruction implies thatthe semaphore was acquired previously by the thread dispatcher using theACQ_MSG on behalf of the thread at the thread dispatch time. The WTSinstruction is not used if the ack-suppression field is set in theACQ_MSG previously issued by the thread dispatcher.

A Release Semaphore (RLS) instruction causes a REL_MSG to be sent to thesemaphore entity with a semaphore identifier for the semaphore beingreleased and a thread identifier for the releasing thread. The releasingthread remains in the active state. If an ACS instruction has beenpreviously issued for the releasing thread only one RLS instruction isissued. If an ASR instruction has been previously issued for thereleasing thread no RLS instruction is issued. If a WTS instruction hasbeen issued for the releasing thread, the WTS instruction may or may notbe followed by a RLS instruction depending on the auto-release field ofthe ACQ_MSG sent by the thread dispatcher. If the auto-release field isunset, no RLS instruction should be issued. If the auto-release field isset a RLS instruction should follow the WTS instruction.

Example Acquisition of an Active Semaphore

As a thread of instructions is executed by a processing core, theinstructions are executed when resources are available. When a resourcehaving a semaphore is required, for example, a shared memory location,ownership of a semaphore may be required to access the resource. Thus,execution of the thread of instructions is accomplished in any mannerknown in the art until a semaphore is needed.

In one embodiment, when a semaphore is needed, an Acquire Semaphore(ACS) instruction is executed. The ACS instruction can be executed bythe processing core executing the thread of instructions requesting thesemaphore. As part of, or in response to, execution of the ACSinstruction, an Acquire Semaphore Message (ACQ_MSG) is transmitted tothe semaphore entity by the processing core executing the thread overthe message bus. One format for the ACQ_MSG is described above. Otherformats can also be used.

As part of, or in response to, execution of the ACS instruction, thethread requesting the semaphore is placed in an inactive state with thewait-semaphore state field set. By placing the thread in the inactivestate, instructions in the thread are not executed, which includespolling of the requested semaphore should the initial semaphore requestbe refused. By placing the thread in the inactive state processorresources and system bandwidth are not consumed by the thread waitingfor the semaphore. For a processing core supporting multi-threading, theprocessor resources and system bandwidth can be used by other activethreads.

The semaphore entity receives the ACQ_MSG and places the requesterinformation entry in the linked list of the target semaphore. If thesemaphore is not owned or controlled by another thread, the semaphoreentry is placed at the head of the semaphore linked list because thereare no other entries. If the semaphore is owned or controlled by anotherthread, the semaphore entry is placed at the tail of the semaphorelinked list. In one embodiment, the tail of the linked list isidentified by traversing the linked list entries in the buffer pool froma head entry to a tail entry and the new entry becomes the new tailentry. In another embodiment, the tail of the linked list is directlyidentified by the tail pointer of the linked list stored in thesemaphore table.

As threads complete use of the resource corresponding to the semaphorethe thread holding the semaphore releases control of the semaphore,which is described in greater detail below. When a semaphore is releasedthe corresponding semaphore entry at the head of the semaphore linkedlist is removed and the subsequent semaphore entry in the linked listbecomes the head of the linked list.

When a semaphore entry becomes the head of the semaphore linked list,its state fields are examined by the semaphore entity. If theack-suppression field is not set, an acknowledgement message (ACK_MSG)is transmitted from the semaphore entity to the thread associated withthe semaphore entry. One format for the ACK_MSG is described above.Other formats can also be used. The ACK_MSG indicates to the receivingentity (e.g., a thread) that the receiving entity has been grantedcontrol of the corresponding semaphore.

In response to the ACK_MSG the corresponding thread is activated. Whenactivated, processing of instructions in the thread resumes and theshared resource corresponding to the semaphore can be accessed. When thethread has completed access to the shared resource the semaphore isreleased, which is described in greater detail below.

Example Release of an Active Semaphore

In one embodiment, a semaphore is released when a Release Semaphore(RLS) instruction is executed. The RLS instruction can be executed bythe processing core executing the thread of instructions requesting thesemaphore. As part of, or in response to, execution of the RLSinstruction, a Release Semaphore Message (REL_MSG) is transmitted to thesemaphore entity. One format for the REL_MSG is described above. Otherformats can also be used.

In response to the REL_MSG, the semaphore entity matches the threadidentifier field of the REL_MSG with the semaphore linked list. Thesemaphore entity checks whether the corresponding semaphore entry is atthe head of the linked list. If the corresponding semaphore entry is atthe head of the linked list, the semaphore entity removes the threadentry from head of the linked list. The subsequent entry in the linkedlist becomes the head entry. The semaphore can then be granted to thethread corresponding to the new head entry. If the correspondingsemaphore entry is not at the head of the linked list, the semaphoreentity set the release-state field of the semaphore entry.

Behavior Models

Based on the formation of the linked list used, semaphores can beclassified as associative semaphores or ordered semaphores. Based on thetransmission of the ACK_MSG from the semaphore entity, semaphores can beclassified as active semaphores or as proactive semaphores. Thus, fourtypes of semaphores can be supported.

Overview of One Embodiment of Associative Semaphores

An associative semaphore allows concurrent threads to access thesemaphore in any order. In one embodiment, a semaphore is initialized bythe thread dispatcher at the beginning of a session with a NULL linkedlist (or a single bit to indicate an empty linked list). No othermessage is sent from the thread dispatcher to the semaphore entity. Thesemaphore linked list is built on the fly by the execution circuitryexecuting the multiple threads of instructions.

In one embodiment, a thread makes a request for an associative semaphoreby executing an ACS or an ASR instruction. The thread releases anassociative semaphore by executing a RLS instruction. In one embodiment,a new ACQ_MSG will result in an entry corresponding to the requestingthread being placed at the tail of the semaphore linked list. Thisprovides a first-come, first-served (FCFS) semaphore model.

Overview of One Embodiment of Ordered Semaphores

An ordered semaphore allows concurrent threads to access the semaphorein a predetermined order. The order is predetermined by the threaddispatcher at the time of dispatching. The order can be applicationdependent. As thread dispatching is sequential in nature, the threaddispatcher may send an ACQ_MSG on behalf of each dispatched thread tothe semaphore entity to build the semaphore linked list according tothat order.

A thread entering a critical section may use the WTS instruction to waitfor ownership of the semaphore. The ACS and ASR instructions are notused as the thread will have already been placed in the semaphore linkedlist. In one embodiment, the semaphore entity can only provide controlof the semaphore according to the linked list order. Threads waiting onthe semaphore will receive the ACQ_MSG in the linked list order.

Overview of One Embodiment of Active Semaphores

As described above, with an active semaphore the ACQ_MSG is used tocause a transition of a thread from an inactive state to an activestate. The semaphore entity receives one or many ACQ_MSGs from executioncircuitry executing threads. The semaphore entity only transmits oneACK_MSG to the execution circuitry corresponding to the thread at thehead of the semaphore linked list. Upon removing the head of thesemaphore linked list, the semaphore entity examines the state of thenew head of the linked list, and may transmit subsequent ACK_MSG to theexecution circuitry corresponding to the thread of the new head ofsemaphore linked list. An active semaphore can also be an associativesemaphore.

Overview of One Embodiment of Proactive Semaphores

A proactive semaphore transmits one and only one ACK_MSG to the threadat the head of the semaphore linked list whether or not the thread is inthe inactive state. This applies to threads using ordered semaphoreswith ACQ_MSG sent previously by the thread dispatcher so that only oneACK_MSG sent to a thread. A thread using an ordered semaphore maycontain a WTS and/or a RLS instruction.

For a proactive semaphore, the ACK_MSG is sent automatically by thesemaphore entity to the thread at the head of the semaphore linked list.In one embodiment, there exists a possibility of a “risk condition” thatmay exist if the timing of an entry from a thread is enqueued in thesemaphore linked list by the thread dispatcher and the time the threadis visible to the execution circuitry. Because both actions areinitiated by the thread dispatcher, but occur through different datapaths, the timing of these events must be considered.

If thread execution begins before semaphore configuration, there will beno risk condition if there is a WTS instruction in the thread. Becausethe wait-semaphore thread state variable is set by the threaddispatcher, even if the WTS instruction of the thread is reached beforethe thread is enqueued to the semaphore linked list the risk conditionwill not occur. The WTS instruction causes the thread to enter theinactive state without sending a message to the semaphore entity. Whenthe semaphore entity sends an ACK_MSG to the thread, the executioncircuitry causes the thread to be active again.

If the semaphore is configured by the thread dispatcher with theack-suppression field set a risk condition may result. In this case, thethread will not be placed in the inactive state. Instead, if the threadreaches the RLS instruction and sends a REL_MSG to the semaphore entitybefore the semaphore is configured for the thread, the semaphore entitymay not be in condition to process the REL_MSG. In order to avoid thisrisk condition, the thread execution and the semaphore entity can ensurethat the REL_MSG does not pass the ACQ_MSG issued by the threaddispatcher.

Thus, in one embodiment, in order to avoid the risk condition, thethread dispatcher completes thread configuration before completion ofsemaphore configuration if the ack-suppression is not set. The threaddispatcher completes semaphore configuration before completion of threadconfiguration if the ack-suppression field is set. Because the threaddispatcher dispatches ready thread serially, sequential operations canensure the necessary orderings.

When thread configuration is completed before semaphore configuration,the thread dispatcher can dispatch a thread and wait for a signal thatindicates that thread configuration is complete before sending a messageto cause configuration of the semaphore. When semaphore configuration iscompleted before thread configuration, the thread dispatcher can send amessage to initiate configuration of the semaphore and wait for a signalthat indicates that the semaphore configuration is complete beforedispatching the thread. Because serial configurations can unnecessarilylimit the throughput from the dispatcher, the configuration operationscan be pipelined.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of coordination of threaddispatch and semaphore initialization operations. In one embodiment, thethread dispatcher determines whether the ack-suppression field is setfor the semaphore message to be transmitted, 210. In alternateembodiments, other system components can determine whether theack-suppression field is or will be set.

If the ack-suppression field is set, 210, the thread dispatcher sends asemaphore request message (e.g., ACQ_MSG) to the semaphore entity, 220.The semaphore entity processes the request message and transmits a“semaphore configuration done” signal to the thread dispatcher when therequest message has been processed (e.g., a linked list entry has beenenqueued for the requesting thread). The “semaphore configuration done”signal can take any form, for example, a single line can be used totransmit a one-bit signal, or a message can be transmitted over themessage bus.

The thread dispatcher waits for the “semaphore configuration done”signal from the semaphore entity, 230. While waiting for the “semaphoreconfiguration done” signal, the thread dispatcher can, for example,dispatch other threads or perform operations that do not cause thethread to be dispatched. After receiving the “semaphore configurationdone” message the thread dispatcher dispatches the thread to theexecution circuitry, 240. The thread is then executed by the executioncircuitry, 250.

If the ack-suppression field is not set, 210, the thread dispatcherdispatches the thread to the execution circuitry, 215. After dispatchingthe thread to the execution circuitry, the thread dispatcher waits for a“thread configuration done” signal from the execution circuitry, 225. Inone embodiment, the execution circuitry sends the “thread configurationdone” signal to the thread dispatcher when the execution circuitry isset to begin execution of the thread. The “thread configuration done”signal can take any form, for example, a single line can be used totransmit a one-bit signal, or a message can be transmitted over themessage bus. The thread is then executed by the execution circuitry,250.

While waiting for the “thread configuration done” signal, the threaddispatcher can, for example, dispatch other threads or performoperations that do not cause the semaphore request message to betransmitted. After receiving the “thread configuration done” message thethread dispatcher transmits a semaphore request message to the semaphoreentity, 235. This can occur after thread execution has begun orconcurrent with the beginning of thread execution.

The example of FIG. 2 provides a sequential example of coordination ofthread execution and semaphore configuration with a proactive semaphore.As mentioned above, the operations described with respect to FIG. 2 canalso be performed in a pipelined manner.

Thread Synchronization

FIGS. 3 a-3 d are conceptual illustrations of dependencies in whichsemaphores can be used to synchronize thread execution. FIG. 3 aillustrates a 1:1:1 (one on one) dependency. The dependency of FIG. 3 acan be a strong sequential order dependency or an associativedependency. For a strong sequential order dependency, a singleproactive, ordered semaphore can be used. In one embodiment, in theACQ_MSG sent from the thread dispatcher to the semaphore entity torequest the semaphore, the ack-suppression field and the auto-releasefield are both unset. The thread of instructions includes a WTS-RLSinstruction pair to obtain and release the semaphore.

For an associative dependency, a single active, associative semaphorecan be used. In one embodiment, in the ACQ_MSG sent from executioncircuitry executing a thread to the semaphore entity to request thesemaphore, the ack-suppression field and the auto-release field are bothunset. The thread of instructions includes an ACS-RLS instruction pairto obtain and release the semaphore.

FIG. 3 b illustrates a 1:N (one on many) dependency, where one threadhas head dependency on N other threads where the N other threads do notdepend on each other. Here N is a positive integer number that can beone or greater than one. For a 1:N dependency, a single proactive,ordered semaphore can be used. In one embodiment, for the N independentthreads, ACQ_MSGs are sent by the thread dispatcher on behalf of the Nthreads. In the ACQ_MSG sent from the thread dispatcher to the semaphoreentity to request the semaphore, the ack-suppression field is set andthe auto-release field is unset. For the single thread, which has headdependency on the other N threads, an ACQ_MSG is also sent by the threaddispatcher. In the ACQ_MSG to request the semaphore, the ack-suppressionfield is unset and the auto-release field is set. The N threads ofinstructions include only an RLS instruction to release the semaphore.The single thread of instructions includes a WTS-RLS instruction pair toobtain and release the semaphore.

FIG. 3 c illustrates a N:1 (many on one) dependency, where N threadshave head dependency on a single thread but the N threads do not dependon each other. For a N:1 dependency, a single proactive, orderedsemaphore can be used. In one embodiment, the thread dispatcher isresponsible of sending ACQ_MSG on behave of both the N depending threadsand the one dependent thread. In one embodiment, for the singledependent thread, in the ACQ_MSG to request the semaphore, theack-suppression field is set and the auto-release field is unset. Forthe N depending threads, in the ACQ_MSG to request the semaphore, theack-suppression field is unset and the auto-release field is set. Thesingle dependent thread of instructions includes only an RLS instructionto release the semaphore. The N depending threads of instructionsinclude a WTS-RLS instruction pair to obtain and release the semaphore.

FIG. 3 d illustrates a N:M (many on many) dependency, where N dependingthreads have head dependency on M dependent threads. In this case, the Ndepending threads do not depend on each other, and the M dependentthread do not depend on each other. The N:M dependency case is a moregeneral case comparing to the 1:1:1, 1:N and N:1 cases described above.For a N:M dependency, a single proactive, ordered semaphore can be used.In one embodiment, the thread dispatcher is responsible for sendingACQ_MSGs on behalf of both the N depending threads and the M dependentthreads. In one embodiment, for the M dependent threads, in the ACQ_MSGto request the semaphore, the ack-suppression field is set and theauto-release field is unset. For the N depending threads, in the ACQ_MSGto request the semaphore, the ack-suppression field is unset and theauto-release field is set. The M dependent threads of instructionsinclude only an RLS instruction to release the semaphore. The Ndepending threads of instructions include a WTS-RLS instruction pair toobtain and release the semaphore.

The dependencies of FIGS. 3 a-3 d can be used to support more complexdependencies. For example, for a N:1:N dependency, two proactive,ordered semaphores are used. The N:1 dependency is processed asdescribed above with respect to FIG. 3 c and the 1:N dependency isprocessed as described above with respect to FIG. 3 b.

CONCLUSION

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method comprising: determining a state of a variable correspondingto a semaphore; generating a semaphore entry for a thread ofinstructions prior to dispatch of the thread for execution if thevariable is in a first state, wherein the first state indicates that thesemaphore is to notify the thread that the semaphore has been acquired;and dispatching the thread of instructions for execution prior togenerating the semaphore entry for the thread if the variable is in asecond state, wherein the second state indicates that the semaphore isnot to notify the thread that the semaphore has been acquired, whereinthe semaphore is to cause change in a state of the thread via a threadscheduler and wherein generating the semaphore entry for the thread ofinstructions prior to dispatch of the thread of instructions if thevariable is in the first state comprises: transmitting a message to asemaphore entity to request control of the semaphore by the thread ofinstructions; and dispatching the thread of instructions to executioncircuitry in response to receiving a signal indicating that thesemaphore entity has processed the message.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising dispatching the thread of instructions for executionand during the thread execution generating a semaphore entry for thethread if the variable is in a third state.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the variable corresponding to the semaphore indicates whetherthe semaphore entity is to automatically transmit a message indicatingcontrol of the semaphore to execution circuitry corresponding to thethread of instructions.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thetransmitting the message to the semaphore entity and dispatching thethread of instructions are pipelined.
 5. The method of claim 1 whereinthe message comprises a semaphore identifier field, a thread identifierfield, and a field corresponding to the variable.
 6. The method of claim1 wherein dispatching the thread of instructions for execution prior togenerating the semaphore entry for the thread if the variable is in asecond state comprises: dispatching the thread of instructions toexecution circuitry; and transmitting a message to a semaphore entity torequest control of the semaphore by the thread of instructions inresponse to a signal indicating that execution of the thread ofinstructions has commenced.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein thedispatching of the thread of instructions and transmitting of themessage to the semaphore entity are pipelined.
 8. The method of claim 6wherein the message comprises a semaphore identifier field, a threadidentifier field, and a field corresponding to the variable.
 9. Themethod of claim 2 wherein dispatching the thread of instructions forexecution and during the thread execution generating the semaphore entryfor the thread if the variable is in a third state comprises:dispatching the thread of instructions to execution circuitry; andtransmitting a message to a semaphore entity to request control of thesemaphore by the thread of instructions in response to the execution ofa set of instructions.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the set ofinstructions comprises an acquire semaphore instruction.
 11. The methodof claim 9 wherein the set of instructions comprises an acquiresemaphore with auto-release instruction.
 12. An apparatus comprising:means for determining a state of a variable corresponding to asemaphore; means for generating a semaphore entry for a thread ofinstructions prior to dispatch of the thread for execution if thevariable is in a first state, wherein the first state indicates that thesemaphore is to notify the thread that the semaphore has been acquired;means for dispatching the thread of instructions for execution prior togenerating the semaphore entry for the thread if the variable is in asecond state, wherein the second state indicates that the semaphore isnot to notify the thread that the semaphore has been acquired, whereinthe semaphore is to cause change in a state of the thread via a threadscheduler; dispatching the thread of instructions for execution andduring the thread execution generating a semaphore entry for the threadif the variable is in a third state; and a storage device to store thesemaphore entry, wherein the means for generating the semaphore entryfor the thread of instructions prior to dispatch of the thread ofinstructions if the variable is in the first state is to comprise: meansfor transmitting a message to a semaphore entity to request control ofthe semaphore by the thread of instructions; and means for dispatchingthe thread of instructions to execution circuitry in response toreceiving a signal indicating that the semaphore entity has processedthe message.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising means fordispatching the thread of instructions for execution and during thethread execution generating a semaphore entry for the thread if thevariable is in a third state.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein themeans for dispatching the thread of instructions for execution prior togenerating the semaphore entry for the thread if the variable is in asecond state further comprises: means for dispatching the thread ofinstructions to execution circuitry; and means for transmitting amessage to a semaphore entity to request control of the semaphore by thethread of instructions in response to a signal indicating that executionof the thread of instructions has commenced.
 15. The apparatus of claim13 wherein the means for dispatching the thread of instructions forexecution and during the thread execution generating the semaphore entryfor the thread if the variable is in a third state comprises: means fordispatching the thread of instructions to execution circuitry; and meansfor transmitting a message to a semaphore entity to request control ofthe semaphore by the thread of instructions in response to the executionof a set of instructions.
 16. An apparatus comprising: a semaphoreentity to maintain entries for a semaphore indicating one or morethreads of instructions requesting control of the semaphore; a processorto execute one or more threads of instructions; and a thread dispatchercoupled with the semaphore entity and the execution circuitry, thethread dispatcher to determine a state of a variable corresponding tothe semaphore, generate a message to the semaphore entity to cause asemaphore entry for a thread of instructions to be generated prior todispatch of the thread of instructions to the processor for execution ifthe variable is in a first state, wherein the first state indicates thatthe semaphore is to notify the thread that the semaphore has beenacquired, and dispatch the thread of instructions to the processor forexecution prior to generating a message to the semaphore entity to causethe semaphore entry for the thread to be generated if the variable is ina second state, wherein the second state indicates that the semaphore isnot to notify the thread that the semaphore has been acquired, whereinthe semaphore is to cause change in a state of the thread via a threadscheduler and wherein the thread dispatcher is to transmit a message toa semaphore entity to request control of the processor by the thread ofinstructions and dispatch the thread of instructions to the processor inresponse to receiving a signal indicating that the semaphore entity hasprocessed the message.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the threaddispatcher further dispatches the thread of instructions for executionand without generating a semaphore entry for the thread if the variableis in a third state.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the semaphoreentity maintains one or more semaphores.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16wherein the message comprises a semaphore identifier field, a threadidentifier field, and a field corresponding to the variable.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein the variable corresponding to thesemaphore indicates whether a semaphore entity is to automaticallytransmit a message indicating control of the semaphore to executioncircuitry corresponding to the thread of instructions.
 21. The apparatusof claim 16 wherein the operations of transmitting the message to thesemaphore entity and dispatching the thread of instructions arepipelined.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein dispatching the threadof instructions to the execution circuitry for execution prior togenerating a message to the semaphore entity to cause the semaphoreentry for the thread to be generated if the variable is in a secondstate comprises dispatching the thread of instructions to executioncircuitry, and transmitting a message to a semaphore entity to requestcontrol of the semaphore by the thread of instructions in response to asignal indicating that execution of the thread of instructions hascommenced.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the operations oftransmitting the message to the semaphore entity and dispatching thethread of instructions are pipelined.
 24. The apparatus of claim 17wherein the execution circuitry generates a message to a semaphoreentity to request control of the semaphore by the thread of instructionsin response to the execution of a set of instructions.
 25. A systemcomprising: a memory controller; a semaphore entity to maintain entriesfor a semaphore indicating one or more threads of instructionsrequesting control of the semaphore; a processor to execute one or morethreads of instructions; and a thread dispatcher coupled with thesemaphore entity, the execution circuitry and the memory controller todetermine a state of a variable corresponding to the semaphore, generatea message to the semaphore entity to cause a semaphore entry for athread of instructions to be generated prior to dispatch of the threadof instructions to the processor for execution if the variable is in afirst state, wherein the first state indicates that the semaphore is tonotify the thread that the semaphore has been acquired, dispatch thethread of instructions to the processor for execution prior togenerating a message to the semaphore entity to cause the semaphoreentry for the thread to be generated if the variable is in a secondstate, wherein the second state indicates that the semaphore is not tonotify the thread that the semaphore has been acquired, wherein thesemaphore is to cause change in a state of the thread via a threadscheduler, and dispatch the thread of instructions for execution andwithout generating a semaphore entry for the thread if the variable isin a third state, wherein the thread dispatcher is to transmit a messageto a semaphore entity to request control of the semaphore by the threadof instructions and dispatch the thread of instructions to the processorin response to receiving a signal indicating that the semaphore entityhas processed the message.
 26. The system of claim 25 wherein the threaddispatcher further dispatches the thread of instructions for executionand without generating a semaphore entry for the thread if the variableis in a third state.
 27. The system of claim 25 wherein the messagecomprises a semaphore identifier field, a thread identifier field, and afield corresponding to the variable.
 28. The system of claim 25 whereinthe variable corresponding to the semaphore indicates whether asemaphore entity is to automatically transmit a message indicatingcontrol of the semaphore to execution circuitry corresponding to thethread of instructions.
 29. The system of claim 25 wherein dispatchingthe thread of instructions to the execution circuitry for executionprior to generating a message to the semaphore entity to cause thesemaphore entry for the thread to be generated if the variable is in asecond state comprises dispatching the thread of instructions toexecution circuitry, and transmitting a message to a semaphore entity torequest control of the semaphore by the thread of instructions inresponse to a signal indicating that execution of the thread ofinstructions has commenced.
 30. The system of claim 25 wherein theoperations of transmitting the message to the semaphore entity anddispatching the thread of instructions are pipelined.